Amid ongoing concerns about data access, and its potential connection to the Chinese government, TikTok has shared some new data on its usage in the U.K., and its rising contributions to the British economy.
According to TikTok, the app now serves over 30 million U.K. users, making this its single biggest European user market. TikTok also says that there are now over 1.5 million British businesses on TikTok, contributing £1.6 billion to the UK economy ($US2.17 million), while the company itself employs 3,000 U.K. employees.
As per TikTok:
“TikTok has had a deep commitment to the U.K. since our launch here in 2018. Our European operations are financially incorporated here, and TikTok U.K. is our European operating company. As a global company making investment decisions in a competitive world, TikTok carefully evaluates where it chooses to invest and expand its operations and we are pleased to be able to make these announcements today.”
Much like U.S. regulators, U.K. politicians have long been weighing the safety of TikTok’s operations in the nation, and the potential for the app to be used as a spy, and/or propaganda tool for the Chinese government.
British officials have ruled out a full ban of TikTok, following the lead of the U.S., though if TikTok is eventually blocked by U.S. authorities, that could change their approach in this respect. The U.S. is currently weighing yet another extension of its official ruling to force the app to be sold into American ownership.
The U.K. government launched its official TikTok presence back in February, though the app remains banned on government devices in the nation, and it has no plans to change this approach.
And, presumably, there has been lingering discussion about further restrictions on the app, which is why TikTok has shared these new U.K. stats, underlining its value for British users.
Though this approach hasn’t really worked elsewhere.
TikTok has shared a range of detailed stats highlighting its impact on the U.S. economy, but American senators still voted to boot it out of the nation, due to cybersecurity concerns. ‘
Because it’s not a question of benefit, but of citizen security, and the access of potentially sensitive information by another nation. It remains to be proven (publicly at least) that the Chinese government has any direct access or influence over the app, but again, if the U.S. ban is eventually upheld, that could raise more questions in other nations.
According to its EU disclosures, TikTok also has 25 million users in France, 24 million in Germany and 23 million in Italy, making up its big four EU markets.
They too could be at risk, if there’s another push against the app, and it seems that TikTok’s looking to get ahead of this by highlighting its broader benefit.
